Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Discover the Best Senior Living in the Peoria area



Providing seniors with carefree retirement years is the primary goal at MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge.   Our beautiful community offers residents a safe and comfortable home to age in place while taking advantage of resort-style amenities and a broad range of meaningful activities.  MorningStar at Golden Ridge has independent living, assisted living and memory care. 

When we boast about resort-style amenities, we really mean it such as delicious daily meals expertly prepared by an Executive Chef and served restaurant style in our lovely dining room.  In addition, a range of convenient services including a full salon offering manicures and pedicures, a spa bath, fitness centers, library, and bistro bar. Furthermore, if you have no longer drive - no problem as MorningStar at Golden Ridge offers scheduled transportation and outings to local venues, parks, shopping and more. 

Our community was designed from the ground up to accommodate our residents’ every need and is beautifully decorated throughout to provide an atmosphere of comfort, relaxation and serenity.  Residents enjoy our beautiful two-story great rooms, on-site theatre, courtyards and outdoor dining patios, and a full calendar of wellness programs and activities. 

Other amenities include a saline swimming pool and hot tub, full-time licensed nurse and a caring and responsive 24-hour staff.  So if all this sounds like something you may be interested in, please contact us to schedule a visit.  You cannot really get a complete picture of all that goes into making our senior living community a real home without experiencing it firsthand.  

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Golden Ridge, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve.  Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to learn more about the finest senior living in Peoria, AZ.


Our Dedicated Team Allows Us to Deliver our Extraordinary Brand of Service

Senior Living - Media Room

Currently our Phoenix MorningStar at Arcadia, MorningStar of Fountain Hills, MorningStar at Arrowhead, and the new MorningStar at Golden Ridge are seeking individuals with a felt calling to serve to fill a variety of positions.  Our assisted living jobs include all of the roles required to smoothly run our gorgeous Phoenix residential homes such as care managers, housekeeping staff, dining room servers, directors, chefs, housekeepers and more. 

We seek people who embody our core values of love, kindness, goodness, honesty, fairness, and respect and are drawn to the idea of working with seniors.  As we are a 24/7 operation, openings include full and part-time positions as well as evening, nights and weekend shifts. And while the nature of senior living involves occasional last-minute changes, we strive to respect shift preferences and to present predictable schedules because as you are helping to build our MorningStar family, we know your own family responsibilities are important. 

In addition as we recognize that MorningStar’s team members make it possible for us to deliver our exceptional brand of service, we also offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits.  These include healthcare plans with medical, vision and dental, a 401(k) plan and vacation, sick time and holiday pay. 

When you are hired by one of our beautiful senior living communities, you will join a team of dedicated service professionals who know the value of working together for the good of all.  However just don’t believe us. A MorningStar team member puts into words what makes her experience working at one of our communities so special.  “People always ask me why I love my job so much. For me it’s not always about money, but the difference you can make in someone’s life. MorningStar has done so much for me in the short time I have been here. Not only am I changing residents’ lives, but they are changing mine.”  

Please visit our website to see the full list of open assisted living jobs at Phoenix’s MorningStar senior living communities as well as a detailed description of the duties and responsibilities.  For your convenience, we also have an online application.    

At MorningStar’s Arcadia, Arrowhead, Fountain Hills & Golden Ridge communities, our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  Our foundation is built on honoring God and valuing all seniors, and we are currently recruiting staff with a felt calling to serve. If you wish to make a difference in the lives of our beloved seniors, please visit MorningStar’s Career page for a link to fulfilling assisted living jobs in Phoenix.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Every Role at Our Phoenix Senior Living Communities is Significant!

memory care 1

Whether you are one of our Executive Directors or working in one of our housekeeping jobs in Phoenix’s gorgeous MorningStar senior living communities, we consider you to be a valuable member of our team.  After all without the dedication of the whole team, it would not be possible for us to deliver the type of service our MorningStar brand was founded on.  Our loving homes include MorningStar at Arcadia, MorningStar of Fountain Hills, MorningStar at Arrowhead, and the new MorningStar at Golden Ridge.

All of our communities have been intentionally designed to promote a culture where both our residents and our staff can thrive.  To help us advance our goal to build a distinguished team, we follow the principles found within our mission statement that reads: to invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well; and a commitment to hiring and retaining employees who use creative minds and compassionate hearts to serve residents. 

Thus all new employees receive purposeful training that helps them to understand, articulate and contribute to our extraordinary culture, which is defined less by what we do and more by why we do it.  This culture is shaped by “Radiance,” our service initiative that infuses the principles of our core values - Love, Kindness, Honesty, Goodness, Fairness, and Respect and is how we strive to deliver service, with sincerity, depth of purpose and warmth.  Each team member carries Radiance’s precepts on a Culture Card as we all know that only with daily practice does a habit become part of our core.

As a service professional, you will become an expert on understanding our residents’ unmet needs, reading body language, nurturing connections, and knowing life stories and preference.  You will know the best ways to surprise and delight our cherished residents as well as appreciate the intrinsic value of your service and the effect you have on the lives of seniors. Please consider applying to one of our assisted living jobs at our Phoenix senior living communities and join a team with a tagline of “Service Becomes Us!

At MorningStar’s Arcadia, Arrowhead, Fountain Hills & Golden Ridge communities, our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  With a foundation built on honoring God and valuing all seniors, we are currently recruiting staff with a felt calling to serve. Would you like to make a difference in a senior’s life? If so visit MorningStar’s Career page for a link to fulfilling assisted living jobs in Phoenix.

Monday, October 28, 2019

Depression is Common Among Seniors


Statistics show that depression in seniors is common; however, it is not a normal part of aging and should not be treated as such.   Many of the challenges seniors go through in the later stages of their life including the death of love ones, retiring from the workplace, and having one or more serious health problems or disability can result in a person developing depression.  While an estimated 6 million adults age 65 years and older have late-life depression, only 10% of those affected are treated for it. 

Experts say there are several reasons why depression goes untreated in the elderly including the fact that symptoms are displayed differently from those in younger people. For example, many seniors do not show signs of sadness, the most common symptom of depression, and many are unwilling to share their feelings with anyone.  Seniors with depression often complain of feeling tired, have trouble sleeping and may be grumpy and irritable.  Depression can even cause symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s such as confusion and attention problems. 

In some cases symptoms of depression are misdiagnosed as being the result of medical conditions and/or from the side effects of medicines they take to treat the conditions.  The National Institute on Aging says depression can “co-occur with other serious medical illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease.” Furthermore, they explain that depression can make these conditions worse and treating the depression can help older adults better manage their other health conditions. 

If you think you have depression or that a loved one is suffering from the condition, you need to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider.  It can be treated but your doctor needs to rule out other medical conditions that may be causing the depression.    Typical treatment for depression includes medication and psychotherapy.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Beaverton, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest senior living in Beaverton Oregon.

Source: nia.nih.gov/health/depression-and-older-adults


Discover the MorningStar Difference; We Invite You to Join Our Team

Senior Living Communities - Common Areas
At the Phoenix MorningStar senior living communities, we are proud to be “different.” It begins with a vision that states: in pursuit of excellence, MorningStar resolves to be a company of servant-minded, purpose-driven leaders in our senior communities and throughout the world. 

While the servant leadership concept is found in some of the oldest philosophical thought, more recently it was deliberated in great detail in an essay by Robert K Greenleaf in 1970.  Greenleaf explains, “The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions…”  He goes on to say the leader-first and the servant first are two extreme types. “The servant first makes sure that other people’s highest priority needs are served. A servant leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong.”  

At MorningStar we are proud to have a staff comprised of servant-minded leaders who are committed to serving our resident-families, fellow team members, and the wider community.  This dedicated commitment to service comes from the fact that when we hire staff, we look for virtues such as kindness, selflessness and character. Then we provide the meaningful training and the support team members need to reach their full potential. 

If you have a felt calling to serve and love the idea of hanging out with remarkable seniors, we invite you to take a look at MorningStar’s various assisted living jobs in Phoenix.  Our educational requirements and skill sets are diverse, and positions include everything from care managers and medication care managers/QMAPs to dining room servers, cooks and several housekeeping jobs at Phoenix’s best senior living communities.  Our homes include MorningStar at Arcadia, MorningStar of Fountain Hills, MorningStar at Arrowhead, and the new MorningStar at Golden Ridge. For more information, please visit our website. 

At MorningStar’s Arcadia, Arrowhead, Fountain Hills & Golden Ridge communities, our unique mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  Our foundation is built on honoring God and valuing all seniors, and we are currently recruiting staff with a felt calling to serve. If you wish to thrive professionally and personally, please visit MorningStar’s Career page for a link to rewarding assisted living jobs in Phoenix.

Source: greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/

Friday, October 25, 2019

Myths Surrounding Alzheimer’s Disease



There are many misconceptions about the causes of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.  As traumatizing as it is for a family to learn a loved one has Alzheimer’s, it is also important to sort through the various truths and myths regarding the disease.    

One mistake many people make when they or a family member is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is to think their life is over.  In reality, a person can live a productive life for many years.  Adopting a healthy lifestyle is important and should include a nutrient-rich diet and routine exercise.  Experts also note it is important to stay socially connected and engage in activities that challenge the brain.  As medication is more helpful in the earlier stages, getting a proper diagnosis is vital.     

People also fear that if a parent had Alzheimer’s, they will get it.  The facts are that “familiar Alzheimer’s disease accounts for less than 5% of all cases of Alzheimer’s disease.”  Furthermore, remember Alzheimer’s is not only a disease of the elderly.  While there are many fewer cases, it does occur in people as young as in their 40s and 50s.

Another common myth is the belief that dental amalgam fillings containing a small amount of mercury caused the disease.  Studies have shown no such correlation between the two.  Others believe aluminum pans are responsible, and while a few studies suggest a small possibility, most experts think the link is questionable.  

Some people think memory loss is a natural progression of aging, but the truth is while many of us experience some decline in memory, if the loss is disrupting your day-to-day life, you need to see a healthcare provider.  Another thing to remember is a diagnosis of dementia is not necessary better than being told a person has Alzheimer’s, it is just another form of the disease. 

MorningStar at Golden Ridge feels it is our calling, and our privilege, to provide loving, compassionate memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  With 35 secure memory care suites, we are equipped to care for your loved one from the onset of the disease to the most advanced stages.  Along with memory care, our senior living community offers exceptional independent and assisted living options.   Please visit our website to learn more about our memory care as well as the many resort-style amenities and services we provide to all residents. 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar at Golden Ridge, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve.  Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to learn more about the finest senior living in Peoria, AZ.

Sources: alz.org/news/2018/senate-takes-bold-steps-in-fight-against-alzheimer

alzheimer.ca/en/Home/About-dementia/Alzheimer-s-disease/Myth-and-reality-about-Alzheimer-s-disease

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

MorningStar of Beaverton Welcomes Pets


At MorningStar of Beaverton our goal is to provide one of the best senior living communities in the area. We offer 66 modern, private assisted living suites in a variety of floor plans to meet our residents’ preferences and needs.  In our Reflections Neighborhood, we provide another 38 secure suites devoted to the individualized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. 

As you will see from our website, our Gallery photos highlight the exquisite beauty and comfortable, home-like setting of our community.   Along with the smart design and safety features found in each suite, MorningStar of Beaverton is also pet friendly.  We recognize that our residents do not want to leave behind their four-legged family member when they move into assisted living.  We also know that animals offer tremendous benefits to seniors’ wellbeing. 

Research has found that being around animals is good for seniors as they not only provide loyal companionship and decrease feelings of loneliness but provide health benefits as well.  Studies show that dogs are especially good pets for seniors as they require them to be more physically active than their non-pet owning counterparts.  Other studies find “having a pet can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure as well as decrease stress.”  Moreover, “Pets have proven to increase serotonin levels, which make us feel good, and decrease cortisol levels, which leads to stress.”

If you are interested in joining our MorningStar of Beaverton family, we ask that you speak to us regarding our pet policy as we do assert our right to assess an animal’s appropriateness for our community on a case-by-case basis.  We do have some restrictions on breeds and also charge a one-time nonrefundable pet fee.  Contact us to schedule a tour and discover for yourself why our residents are happy to call MorningStar “home”.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Beaverton, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest senior living in Beaverton Oregon.


Source: seniorliving.org/assisted-living/pets/

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s Unique Approach to Memory Care



At MorningStar at Golden Ridge, we not only provide independent and assisted living to Peoria area seniors but also experienced memory care.  Our Reflections Neighborhood has 35 secure memory care suites dedicated to residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  MorningStar’s compassionate team expertly provides the care your loved one requires for their utmost comfort, wellness and safety. 

Our holistic approach to memory care is done through our program we call “Lavender Sky.”  By utilizing our extensive understanding of dementia, it provides the tools to empower and equip our team to advance our vision and mission of providing a more insightful way to support the memory-impaired and their families. 

All of our employees, regardless of their position, will receive training in the program as we understand knowledge provides greater wisdom and insight into interacting with our most tender residents.  The eight hours of training include the pathology behind the disease as well as communication techniques, and holistic solutions to dining, safety and challenging behaviors. 

Through Lavender Sky, our caregivers thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the “purple world” of dementia as they crossover the physical and emotional boundaries that would otherwise separate us. By exploring each of our residents’ life stories including their history and preferences, we create an individualized care plan. We also involve and engage family members in how to follow our lead.

Please visit our website for more information regarding experienced, compassionate memory care.  While many senior living communities may offer memory care, we consider it our calling to care for our very special residents.  At MorningStar at Golden Ridge, we do not consider serving our memory care residents to be depressing but rather offer hope to families as we strive to find ways to elevate and celebrate each resident’s life.  Our beautiful, loving community is now open! 

MorningStar at Golden Ridge represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for residents.  We invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care.


Saturday, October 19, 2019

Health Benefits for Seniors Who Limit TV Time



For years research has suggested children should have limits placed upon their daily screen time, and now a large study suggests the same may be true for older adults.   A published report from the University College London in the United Kingdom indicates that older adults who spent at least 3.5 hours a day watching television experienced a greater decline in verbal memory.  The study’s data was taken from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), which included 3,662 participants age 50 years and older.  

Participants answered researchers’ questions in 2008-2009 and then again in 2014-2015 regarding the time they spent watching TV.  Afterward they were given a series of tests that measured verbal memory and fluency.  Results showed adults who watch 3.5 or more hours of TV daily had an “average decline of 8–10 percent in word- and language-related memory over the 6 years the study covered. This is compared with a lower 4–5 percent average decline in those who watched fewer hours of TV per day over the same period.”   For the verbal memory tests, participants were asked to memorize and then recall lists of words within a given time.  The verbal fluency tests required them to list as many examples, such as animals, they could in a given amount of time.  The semantic fluency of the study’s participants did not seem to be affected. 

It was noted that most of the studies involving the effects of TV watching have been done on children and little to no studies on older adults.  One of the study’s co-authors, Dr. Daisy Fancourt, who works in the Department of Behavioral Science and Health says, "Much less attention has been paid to the effects of television viewing at the other end of the lifespan, despite it being hypothesized for over 25 years that watching excessive television could contribute to the development of dementia."

As one of the newest senior living communities in the Peoria, AZ area, MorningStar at Golden Ridge residents have a whole lot more to do than just watching TV.  Our senior living community provides a range of wellness programs and activities designed to enhance health and wellness, stimulate the brain and encourage connection.  Please call or visit our website to learn more. 

MorningStar at Golden Ridge’s distinct mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities.  Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve.  Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the area’s finest senior living community.


Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324598.php

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

The Flu Season is Here


Now that the 2019-20 flu season has begun, everyone needs to follow good health habits to lessen the spread of the disease.  It is especially important to be careful around the elderly, as the disease can have deadly consequences for them.  If you have not already done so, it is now time to get a flu shot, and if you have the flu or flu like symptoms, please do not visit an elderly parent or loved one until you are symptom free for 72 hours.  

The Oregon Health Authority has some tips to help decrease your chances of getting the flu or infecting someone else with the virus starting by staying home from work or school if you are sick.  When you cough or sneeze, be sure to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue and then throw it away when you are done.  Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and use an alcohol-base hand sanitizer when water and soap are unavailable.  They also suggest you avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as well as clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may have flu germs on them. 

The flu causes mild to severe respiratory illnesses that can result in hospitalization.  Each year the virus kills thousands of people and those at higher risk include adults 65 years and older, children, and pregnant women.  Also anyone with a chronic medical condition or weak immune system is at higher risk for complications.

MorningStar of Beaverton senior living community offers 66 assisted living suites and 38 secure suites for memory care.  Residents have 24/7 care and a wide assortment of resort-style amenities to ensure their comfort and wellbeing.  Please visit our website for details.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Beaverton, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest senior living in Beaverton Oregon.


Source: oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/FluSeasonHasBegunGoodTimeGetVaccinated.aspx

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Tips to Help Your Parent Downsize for a Move into Assisted Living



Along with the emotional transition to assisted living, your loved one may require help downsizing their belongings especially if they are still living in their own home.  While many assisted living suites such as MorningStar’s are quite roomy, obviously they are not as big as a whole house.  Nor will your parent need the same amount of housewares and equipment in their new suite as they will no longer be preparing meals or cleaning and maintaining a home.

The Family Caregiver Alliance has some tips as well as a check sheet for families to help make the process go more smoothly and ultimately save time and energy.   They suggest strategies to use if you have the time (such as it is not an emergency to move now) and plan the steps you will take as far out as six months to a year.  In fact, decluttering should be done on a fairly regular basis including updating paperwork and shredding old documents.  Also periodically get rid of unused or worn out clothing, furniture and extraneous household items. 

One of the first steps they recommend is to write lists and add to them whenever you think of something new.  Lists should include things your parent wants to take with them to their new home, and a timeline of when things need to be done by.  Get a floorplan of the suite as it will make it easier to realistically plan what to take, to sell, donate or to give away.  The Family Caregiver Alliance also reminds families to go slow with the sorting process and try not to overwhelm their parent by doing too much each day.  

Recently opened, MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge has 38 Casitas with attached garages for independent living. In a neighboring building are 65 suites for assisted living, including studio, one bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood offers memory care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  Please see our website to learn more about our beautiful community.

MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for residents.  We invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care.


Source: caregiver.org/downsizing-home-checklist-caregivers

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Trusted Memory Care at MorningStar of Arvada

Senior Living Communities - Common Area
When a parent or spouse is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, there are many challenges a family goes through.  It is traumatizing get a diagnosis of the disease both for the individual as well as for the entire family.  As you come to terms with the devastating news, you are likely left with lots of questions including what will happen in the future and who will be there to provide the type of care your loved one will need.

At MorningStar of Arvada, we want you to know we are here to help.  Our beautiful independent living, assisted living and memory care community is situated on 1.5 acres, encircled by historic Golden, Colorado.  As dementia care experts, we provide specialized, individualized care to each resident and are equipped to care for those from the onset of the disease all the way through to the most advanced stages. 

Our holistic approach to memory care focuses on nurturing and supporting the essence of the individual regardless of the extent of the memory loss, and our team of compassionate caregivers feels privileged to serve seniors.  All of our 29 memory care suites are in a separate area we call Reflections Neighborhood. This spacious neighborhood is specifically designed to allow residents the independence to safely explore their surroundings. 

Every aspect of our dementia care addresses the unique needs of our residents starting with the very design of our community to a wide range of wellness programs and activities and healthy, delicious meals.  We encourage you to visit our website for contact information or to set up a tour of our exceptional community.

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Arvada, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to learn more about the finest independent living, assisted living and memory care Arvada CO has to offer.

Prevent Falls by Improving Your Balance



The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest statistics show that one in four Americans aged 65 years and older falls each year.  The result is that “each year 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries; and over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.”

While these are worrisome facts, experts say there are some simple exercises seniors can do to help prevent falls and maintain their independence. Remember a common injury caused by an elderly person falling is a hip fracture that can seriously impact their life. 

Most balance exercises are easy to learn and do, do not require special equipment or a trip to the gym, and can be done anywhere.  The Mayo Clinic explains that while many exercises including walking can help maintain good balance, there are specific exercises targeted at improving a senior’s balance and stability.  They do caution however that if you have severe balance problems or an orthopedic condition, to get your doctor's okay before starting balance exercises.

Examples of balance exercises include: standing on one foot, walking heel to toe, back leg raises, and side leg raises.  To do the standing on one foot exercise, stand behind a sturdy chair; gripping for balance, lift one foot off the floor.  Hold for 10 seconds and then repeat with the opposite legs.  Repeat the exercise several times and increase the repetition as your strength increases.  

Walking heel to toe is done by positioning the heel of one foot in front of the toes of the other foot.  Your heel and toes should be touching.  Now select a spot ahead of you and focus on it to help keep you steady as you walk.  Try to step forward for as many as 20 steps.  Be sure to ask your healthcare provider for other balance exercises.

As one of the area’s top senior living communities, MorningStar of Beaverton offers exercise classes to improve balance, strengthen muscles, and increase joint flexibility.  Our various enrichment activities and wellness programs are designed to enhance and support our residents’ physical, mental, spiritual and social connections.  Please visit our website to learn more about loving, luxurious senior living in Beaverton, Oregon.

This post is for informational purposes only.  Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any exercises. 

The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Beaverton, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest senior living in Beaverton Oregon.


Source: mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/multimedia/balance-exercises/sls-20076853

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Assisted Living May be a Healthier, Safer Option



Since most assisted living communities offer access to 24-hour personal care, along with nutrition and wellness services targeted specifically for the needs of older adults, they may present healthier, safer options for some seniors so says A Place for Mom.  Residents are able to enjoy healthy social connections as well as peace of mind knowing the support they need to help maintain their independence is available 24/7. 

In fact, research suggests that the support services and programs provided by assisted living communities help seniors to avoid many of the mishaps and problems that are commonplace in the elderly.  One such problem way too common in seniors is failing to take medication as prescribed.  Skipped doses or too much medication can result in deadly consequences.  The Department of Health and Human Services reports that up to 55 percent of older adults are “non-complaint” with their prescription drugs orders, and many are hospitalized each year due to adverse reactions. 

Dehydration is another commonplace problem experienced by the elderly.  As we age, our sense of thirst diminishes, which means older adults need to remember to drink even when they are not thirsty. Also some medications may be diuretic, while others cause a person to sweat more, which can result in dehydration. 

In addition, poor nutrition is one more problem many seniors face.  Some research even suggests loneliness is a significant predictor of malnutrition in the elderly.  It can be difficult for older adults who live alone to prepare good, nutritional meals or for their loved ones to supervise daily eating habits.   

At senior living communities such as MorningStar at Golden Ridge, our assisted living provides the support services and physical environment to help older adults live as comfortably and as safely as possible.  All of our assisted living suites are equipped with full handicap-accessible bathrooms.  Furthermore, residents are served three, delicious meals a day tailored to the changing health needs of older adults.   Also, we provide 24/7 Care Managers, licensed nurses, scheduled Health & Wellness Evaluations and Care Plan reviews, and medication management by Certified Med Care Managers. Please see our website for more information.

MorningStar Senior Living at Golden Ridge represents the finest in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve, we provide a true home for residents.  We invite you to schedule a tour to see firsthand our exceptional independent living, assisted living and memory care.


Source:  aplaceformom.com/blog/social-life-for-seniors-why-assisted-living-is-better/

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Have Questions About MorningStar of Beaverton?


If you are searching for assisted living for yourself or a parent, you probably have some questions regarding what type of care is offered.  At MorningStar of Beaverton, we understand the concerns families have and provide answers to FAQs on our website as a good way to get you started.  For example, one question we get asked often is our age requirement and the answer is you must be at least 62 years old.  We also get asked if couples can live together.  Of course!  Couples can live together in their own suite, surrounded by their own treasured possessions, or suites can be shared by friends of the same sex who simply enjoy one another’s company.

Another question we are frequently asked is, “do we offer short-term stays.”  Yes, it is based on availability and we do ask that you commit to at least a week’s stay or a full month.  This gives you the chance to sample a life free from cooking and household chores, and to participate in a bustling calendar of activities and enjoy the instant companionship.   

If you are concerned that your parent may not get the care they need, there is no reason to worry.  Before your parent joins our community, our Wellness Director will sit down with your family to discuss your parent’s medical history and personal preferences.  From here, we create an individualized care plan that meets everyone’s approval.  This plan will be routinely evaluated and updated as the need arises. 

You will also find our pet policy on our FAQs page.  We are a pet friendly community and recognize the tremendous benefits animals offer to all of us.  We do assess an animal’s appropriateness for our community on a case-by-case basis, and we have some restrictions on breeds.   There is also a one-time, nonrefundable pet fee.

We encourage you to visit our website to read the answers to other questions you may have regarding our assisted living.  However if you do not see the information you need, please give us a call as we are ready to help.   We look forward to meeting you and your family.

MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting.  Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care community.


Tuesday, October 1, 2019

MorningStar of Beaverton’s Unique Approach to Memory Care


Getting a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease is devastating for the person and their family.  All of one’s carefully laid plans are cast aside as their future takes a much different path.    

MorningStar of Beaverton is an assisted living and memory care community in a western suburb of Portland.  While the MorningStar name is fairly new to the Portland area, MorningStar Senior Living was founded in 2003 and has communities throughout the Western U.S, where we have worked hard to become dementia care specialists. 

Unlike other memory care communities, MorningStar’s extensive experience has allowed us to gain a deep understanding of the disease, and we consider it our privilege to serve those with memory loss.  We recognize that the person’s essence remains and are committed to finding ways to connect with and nurture that essence.  

We also consider residents’ family members to be part of our MorningStar family as we walk alongside the memory-impaired and their families on this unexpected journey.  Our unique approach to memory care is called Lavender Sky, which is how we thoughtfully enter, embrace and explore the entirely different and isolating world of memory loss.  Additionally, as we believe that many of the adverse behaviors associated with dementia are often side effects of antipsychotic drugs, our goal is to have less than 10% of our residents on any of these types of drugs.

Every aspect of our memory care is designed to address the needs of our residents including 24/7 compassionate Care Mangers, wellness programs and activities that will stimulate and calm as needed.  Even our meals are designed with our most tender residents’ need in mind and are as good to look at as they are to eat.     

Our beautiful community offers 66 assisted living suites and 38 secure suites for memory care in our Reflections Neighborhood. Please contact us for more information and to schedule a tour.  We look forward to meeting future residents and their families. 

MorningStar of Beaverton proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting.  Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care community.



Recommendations for Elderly Drivers

Older drivers can still be good, safe drivers, but there are some things to consider both for your safety and the safety of others. The May...